A model of evaporative cooling of wet skin surface and fur layer

(1) A theoretical model that simultaneously solves heat and mass transfer in a wet skin surface and fur layer that occurs when an animal is cooled by blowing air over its wetted skin surface and hair coat is presented. (2) The model predicts evaporative and convective heat losses for different levels of wetness, air velocity, ambient temperature, relative humidity and fur properties. (3) Model predictions provide insight about evaporative and convective cooling processes of cows in stressful hot environments.     

Modeling conductive cooling for thermally stressed dairy cows

Conductive cooling, which is based on direct contact between a cow lying down and a cooled surface (water mattress, or any other heat exchanger embedded under the bedding), allows heat transfer from the cow to the cooled surface, and thus alleviate heat stress of the cow. Conductive cooling is a novel technology that has the potential to reduce the consumption of energy and water in cooling dairy cows compared to some current practices. A three-dimensional conduction model that simulates cooling thermally-stressed dairy cows was developed. The model used a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to characterize the air-flow field surrounding the animal model. The flow field was obtained by solving the continuity and the momentum equations. The heat exchange between the animal and the cooled water mattress as well as between the animal and ambient air was determined by solving the energy equation. The relative humidity was characterized using the species transport equation. The conduction 3-D model was validated against experimental temperature data and the agreement was very good (average error is 4.4% and the range is 1.9–8.3%) for a mesh size of 1117202. Sensitivity analyses were conducted between heat losses (sensible and latent) with respect to air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, and level of wetness of skin surface to determine which of the parameters affect heat flux more than others. Heat flux was more sensitive to air temperature and level of wetness of the skin surface and less sensitive to relative humidity.     

Studies on water vapor pressure gradient from external air through clothing to the skin in relation to external humidity and clothing conditions

Using a hygrometric capsule method developed by the authors, water vapor pressure was measured at each layer of clothing as well as at the skin surface on a human subject under actual wearing conditions. The pattern of vapor pressure gradient from the skin surface through clothing to the external air was examined in relation to the ambient vapor pressure and ths sort of textiles worn. The following findings were obtained. 1) Water vapor pressure gradient was greater between coat and external air than that between coat and underwear. The gradient became steeper again between underwear and the skin. 2) Under given clothing conditions, vapor pressure at each layer of clothing as well as at the skin varied according to the ambient humidity. However, the pattern of vapor pressure gradient from the skin through clothing to the external air was not greatly influenced by the external humidity. 3) The pattern of vapor pressure gradient from the skin through clothing to the external air was not greatly influenced by the external humidity. 3) The pattern of vapor pressure gradient through the clothing as a whole differed according to the kinds of textiles used for coat and underwear.     

黑龙江省黄鼬冬季毛被分层结构及保温功能

为了解黄鼬毛被的保温机制,选取黑龙江省通河林区黄鼬东北亚种(Mustela sibirica manchurica)冬季皮张,通过观测雄性5个部位和雌性4个部位毛被的分层结构,并结合热物性测试比对,发现了毛被的各层结构具有不同的保温隔热功能且存在部位差异。结果表明:1)毛被由外及里表现出4层结构,各层毛被厚度分别为:(12.7±3.0)mm、(6.0±1.8)mm、(5.5±2.2)mm和(1.4±0.5)mm。2)4层毛被的颜色、结构及保温机制依次为:最外层毛被棕黄色或金黄色,仅由2种类型被毛构成,耐磨损能力较强,保护下层毛被,阻挡冷空气侵入并降低毛被的热量散失;第二层毛被淡黄色,此层开始均由4种类型被毛构成,毛干细度较小,被毛间形成细小空隙,滞留大量静止空气,增强保温功能;第三层毛被灰色或灰白色,4种类型被毛的毛干更细,绒针毛和绒毛弯曲程度更大,使被毛间滞留静止空气的能力更强、更稳定,保温能力更强;最内层毛被为白色,为近毛根处,4种类型被毛均较直,便于热量传递。3)4层毛被的对整体的贡献率分别为:16.11%、27.40%、44.40%和12.09%。4)背面毛被较腹面的颜色深,厚度大,保温能力强;沿吻端至尾基的体轴方向毛被厚度增加,保温性增强。5)雄性毛被较雌性的厚度大,保温能力强。以上,反映了黄鼬冬季多部位毛被由表及里不同的空间布局及各层毛呈现的不同的形态结构,从整体上兼顾保护、保温、散热等多种功能,以适应当地的寒冷环境。     

Sows’ responses to increased heat load – A review

There is a comprehensive body of literature on how increased air temperature affects the physiology, production and behaviour of sows, while very few studies consider the thermal effects of air humidity and air velocity.This review summarises studies that have investigated effects of air temperature by reviewing published literature in which sows were exposed to at least two different levels of air temperature ranging from 15 °C to 39 °C. Increased rectal temperature was investigated in the majority of the studies (26) and on average, the rectal temperature increased by 0.099 °C per °C increased air temperature above 25 °C. The increase was smaller at lower air temperatures, and it was suggested that rectal temperature is practically unaffected by air temperatures in the range of 15 °C–21 °C. This review elucidates how air temperature also affects performance indicators such as respiration rate, vaginal temperature, skin temperature, feed intake, milk yield, body weight loss during lactation, mortality, litter daily weight gain during lactation and sow behaviour.One study reported how respiration rate, rectal temperature, vaginal temperature and skin temperature were affected by both air temperature and air humidity, and the results suggest that the relative significance of air temperature and humidity may be similar for sows and finishing pigs (e.g. an increase of 40% relative humidity at an air temperature of 30 °C has a similar effect as a 1.9 °C increase in temperature).Studies on mitigation methods against the effects of high temperature and humidity such as snout cooling, drip cooling and floor cooling were reviewed to extract knowledge related to the effects of air velocity, temperatures of surrounding surfaces and the opportunity for sows to moisten their skin.     

A model of sensible heat transfer across the boundary layer of animal hair coat

• 1.1.|A mechanistic model that predicts the sensible heat loss through the boundary layer of animal hair coat in relation to the climatic environment and hair coat properties is presented.
• 2.2.|The predicted sensible heat loss is positively related with hair density but is negatively related with depth of hair coat.
• 3.3.|Wind speed is a major determinant of the rate of heat loss across the boundary layer especially at low air temperatures.

     

A canine thermal model for simulating temperature responses of military working dogs

Military working dogs (MWDs) are often required to operate in dangerous or extreme environments, to include hot and humid climate conditions. These scenarios can put MWD at significant risk of heat injury. To address this concern, a two-compartment (core, skin) rational thermophysiological model was developed to predict the temperature of a MWD during rest, exercise, and recovery. The Canine Thermal Model (CTM) uses inputs of MWD mass and length to determine a basal metabolic rate and body surface area. These calculations are used along with time series inputs of environmental conditions (air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind velocity) and level of metabolic intensity (MET) to predict MWD thermoregulatory responses. Default initial values of core and skin temperatures are set at neutral values representative of an average MWD; however, these can be adjusted to match known or expected individual temperatures. The rational principles of the CTM describe the heat exchange from the metabolic energy of the core compartment to the skin compartment by passive conduction as well as the application of an active control for skin blood flow and to tongue and lingual tissues. The CTM also mathematically describes heat loss directly to the environment via respiration, including panting. Thermal insulation properties of MWD fur are also used to influence heat loss from skin and gain from the environment. This paper describes the CTM in detail, outlining the equations used to calculate avenues of heat transfer (convective, conductive, radiative and evaporative), overall heat storage, and predicted responses of the MWD. Additionally, this paper outlines examples of how the CTM can be used to predict recovery from exertional heat strain, plan work/rest cycles, and estimate work duration to avoid overheating.     

The effect of gravity on surface temperatures of plant leaves

A fundamental study was conducted to develop a facility having an adequate air circulation system for growing healthy plants over a long-term under microgravity conditions in space. To clarify the effects of gravity on heat exchange between plant leaves and the ambient air, surface temperatures of sweet potato and barley leaves and replica leaves made of wet paper and copper were evaluated at gravity levels of 0.01, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g for 20 s each during parabolic aeroplane flights. Thermal images were captured using infrared thermography at an air temperature of 26 degrees C, a relative humidity of 18% and an irradiance of 260 W m-2. Mean leaf temperatures increased by 0.9-1.0 degrees C with decreasing gravity levels from 1.0 to 0.01 g and decreased by 0.5 degrees C with increasing gravity levels from 1.0 to 2.0 g. The increase in leaf temperatures was at most 1.9 degrees C for sweet potato leaves over 20 s as gravity decreased from 1.0 to 0.01 g. The boundary layer conductance to sensible heat exchange decreased by 5% when the gravity decreased from 1.0 to 0.01 g at the air velocity of 0.2 m s-1. The decrease in the boundary layer conductance with decrease in the gravity levels was more significant in a lower air velocity. Heat exchange between leaves and the ambient air was more retarded at lower gravity levels because of less sensible and latent heat transfers with less heat convection.     

Allometry of primate hair density and the evolution of human hairlessness

Allometric analyses of hair densities in 23 anthropoid primate taxa reveal that increasingly massive primates have systematically fewer hairs per equal unit of body surface. Considering the absence of effective sweating in monkeys and apes, the negative allometry of relative hair density may represent an architectural adaptation to thermal constraints imposed by the decreasing ratios of surface area to volume in progressively massive primates. Judging by estimates of body volume, denudation of the earliest hominids should have progressed to a considerable extent prior to their shift from a forest to a grassland habitat during the Pliocene. We propose that, lacking a reflective coat of hair, the exploitation of eccrine sweating emerged as the primary mechanism for adaptation to the increased heat loads of man's new environment and permitted further reduction of the remnant coat to its present vestigial condition.     

AN ANALYSIS OF CALIFORNIA SEA OTTER (ENHYDRA LUTRIS) PELAGE AND INTEGUMENT

The sea otter is associated with a cold, marine habitat, has no insulating fat layer, and relies on its fur layer for insulation. Soiled pelage provides inadequate insulation and can lead to hypothermia and death. Information on sea otter pelage, the surface and bound lipids found in the pelage, and histology of the integument is thus relevant to the development of rehabilitation and management techniques for sea otters soiled with oil. We present detailed data on the sea otter pelage and integument, including hair bundle density (737–2,465 bundles per cm²), hair density per bundle (19–91.1), total hair density (26,413–164,662 hairs per cm²), guardhair length (8.2–26.9 mm), underfur length (4.6–15.8 mm), guardhair diameter (44.0–106.0 μ), underfur diameter (7.6–11.9 μ), angle of hair with respect to the skin (61.9°- 84.3°) and structure of individual hairs as seen with a scanning electron microscope. The hydrocarbon squalene was found to be the major component of the lipids associated with the pelage. Various layers of skin from eight sites on a single animal are described histologically. With the exception of density of the hair coat, sea otter integument is similar to that of domestic carnivores.     

哺乳动物毛被传热性能及其影响因素

毛被能够加强或减弱动物向周围环境的热量散失,毛被的形态结构和颜色是传热性能的决定因素,其传热过程往往是传导、对流和辐射3个过程的耦合。以往研究发现环境因子中,风可增加机体向环境中的散热速率,且散失量与风速正相关,且动物通过调节在风场中的姿态来适应不同风向。动物体与环境间的温差是影响散热速率的另一因素,不同环境中的动物通过改变毛被结构来适应温差变化。毛被含水率上升会引起导热和蒸发冷却作用加强,动物通过行为或毛被结构变化来调节毛被含水率。毛色决定毛被吸收和反射热辐射的能力。毛被传热性能直接把动物的生理特点与环境因子关联起来,这对揭示动物的适应、进化都具有重要意义。同时提出,毛被结构和传热性能的研究还有助于仿生学意义的挖掘。因此,今后应重点在毛被结构和物理性能、研究技术与方法以及毛被生物学和仿生学意义等方面开展研究。     

Relationships between integumental characteristics and thermoregulation in South American camelids

Hair fibre is regarded as a unique mammalian feature with an important role for endothermy. Artificial selection for hair characteristics resulted in marked changes with regard to follicle number, type, distribution, growth and natural shedding. This review focuses on the fine fibre-producing South American camelids (SACs) and the relationship between their hair coat and thermoregulation. SACs have developed several special integumental characteristics. While the hair coat of the wild lamoids vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) and guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is formed by two types of hair (the coarse outer guard hairs and a finer undercoat), the domesticated llamas (Lama glama) and alpaca (Lama pacos) exhibit variably double coat and predominantly single coat, respectively. The distribution of the hair coat across the body is not homogenous. Thermal windows with shorter hair or thinner skin can be identified at the ventral abdomen, axillary space and inside of the thighs (about 20% of the skin), thus allowing to modulate heat dissipation. In contrast to sheep wool, lamoid fibres are mainly medullated. The thermal conductance of summer pelage was higher than that of the winter fleece and highest for the axillar and lower flanks. Lamoids have developed behavioural strategies to modify heat loss by adopting specific postures according to ambient conditions by closing or opening the thermal windows. Energy savings of 67% attributed to posture were calculated. SACs have shown to be able to adapt to a broad range of different climatic conditions. The specific integumental characteristics of SACs indicate that they have developed adaptation mechanisms particularly suited for cooler climates. Accordingly, hyperthermia might become a problem in hot, humid areas outside of their original habitat. Several studies showed the beneficial effect of shearing against heat stress. In particular, fertility in males exposed to heat stress may be improved by shearing. Infrared thermography reveals that in shorn animals the heat is radiated across the entire body surface and is not restricted to the thermal windows. However, shearing also changes the conditions of the protective layer, resulting in a loss of thermal conductance that may result in adverse effects when animals are kept under cold temperatures. The length of residual fibre appears to be crucial in avoiding excessive heat loss in a cold environment, as demonstrated by shearing experiments with different shearing machines. There is, therefore, potential for welfare considerations to conflict with industrial demands for fibre length or homogenous quality.     

Rabbits – their domestication and molecular genetics of hair coat development and quality

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the only representative of its genus living in present‐day Europe and North Africa, and all domestic rabbits are descendants of this one species, which is native to the Iberian Peninsula. There are over 300 breeds of rabbits that differ in size, coat color, length of ears and type of fur. Rabbits are bred for various reasons, such as for laboratory animals and a source of meat, wool and fur, as well as for pets and exhibition animals. The hair coat is a important economic trait of rabbits. Its development and quality are influenced by various factors, both environmental and genetic. The genetic mechanisms underlying its development have not been thoroughly researched. The aim of this review is to discuss the domestication of rabbits and the different aspects of rabbit genetics. A brief review of the properties of rabbit hair coat, hair coat development and hair cycle will be provided, followed by discussion of the factors regulating hair coat development, molecular control of hair coat development and the role of non‐coding RNAs in the regulation of gene expression in the hair follicles of rabbits. Information about genetic regulation of pathways could provide useful tools for improving hair coat quality and be of practical use in rabbit breeding.     

Heat loss from the human head during exercise

Evaporative and convective heat loss from head skin and expired air were measured in four male subjects at rest and during incremental exercise at 5, 15, and 25 degrees C ambient temperature (Ta) to verify whether the head can function as a heat sink for selective brain cooling. The heat losses were measured with an open-circuit method. At rest the heat loss from head skin and expired air decreased with increasing Ta from 69 +/- 5 and 37 +/- 18 (SE) W (5 degrees C) to 44 +/- 25 and 26 +/- 7 W (25 degrees C). At a work load of 150 W the heat loss tended to increase with increasing Ta: 119 +/- 21 (head skin) and 82 +/- 5 W (respiratory tract) at 5 degrees C Ta to 132 +/- 27 and 103 +/- 12 W at 25 degrees C Ta. Heat loss was always higher from the head surface than from the respiratory tract. The heat losses, separately and together (total), were highly correlated to the increasing esophageal temperature at 15 and 25 degrees C Ta. At 5 degrees C Ta on correlation occurred. The results showed that the heat loss from the head was larger than the heat brought to the brain by the arterial blood during hyperthermia, estimated to be 45 W per 1 degree C increase above normal temperature, plus the heat produced by the brain, estimated to be up to 20 W. The total heat to be lost is therefore approximately 65 W during a mild hyperthermia (+1 degrees C) if brain temperature is to remain constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Desaturation of exhaled air in camels

We have found that camels can reduce the water loss due to evaporation from the respiratory tract in two ways: (1) by decreasing the temperature of the exhaled air and (2) by removal of water vapour from this air, resulting in the exhalation of air at less than 100% relative humidity (r.h.). Camels were kept under desert conditions and deprived of drinking water. In the daytime the exhaled air was at or near body core temperature, while in the cooler night exhaled air wat at or near ambient air temperature. In the daytime the exhaled air was fully saturated, but at night its humidity might fall to approximately 75% r.h. The combination of cooling and desaturation can provide a saving of water of 60% relative to exhalation of saturated air at body temperature. The mechanism responsible for cooling of the exhaled air is a simple heat exchange between the respiratory air and the surfaces of the nasal passageways. On inhalation these surfaces are cooled by the air passing over them, and on exhalation heat from the exhaled air is given off to these cooler surfaces. The mechanism responsible for desaturation of the air appears to depend on the hygroscopic properties of the nasal surfaces when the camel is dehydrated. The surfaces give off water vapour during inhalation and take up water from the respiratory air during exhalation. We have used a simple mechanical model to demonstrate the effectiveness of this mechanism.     

The impact of a small lake on heat stress in a Mediterranean urban park: the case of Tel Aviv,Israel

Field observations of air and surface temperatures, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind were performed in the daytime hours of the warm season around a pond of 4 ha, located in Begin Park, in the city of Tel Aviv, Israel. Observations were carried out at screened meteorological stations on four randomly selected days, all associated with moderate heat stress. Two of them, one representing a warm and dry day, and other, representing a sultry day, are analyzed in detail. At the downwind side of the pond, lower temperatures, a higher relative humidity and a lower heat stress index were observed consistently when compared with stations located upwind of the pond. This effect is regarded here as the "lake effect". The fact that no significant change was noted in the water vapor pressure during most of the daytime hours indicates that the lake effect was related mainly to cooling rather than to moisture transport from the pond. A positive relationship was found between the lake effect and wind speed in both types of weather. The maximum effect of the wind's speed on the lake effect was observed at midday, at which time the temperature drop reached 1.6 degrees C, while the relative humidity rose by 6%. As a result, the heat stress index dropped by 0.8-1.1 degrees C. It is suggested that the temperature drop induced by the pond during the warmest hours of the day was mainly the result of a truncation of the sensible heat flux from the underlying surface when the air, which had previously passed over hot surfaces, swept over the relatively cool water. During the late afternoon and evening hours, when the water became warmer than the surrounding surfaces, latent heat cooling resulting from evaporation became the dominant source of the lake effect, and the lake effect resulted in increasing heat stress. It is concluded that even small bodies of water have a relieving effect on humans in the daytime hours, within the range of 40 m, under both dry and humid hot weather conditions.     

油松人工林SPAC水势梯度时空变化规律及其对边材液流传输的影响

 利用热扩散式边材液流茎流探针（TDP）和微型自动气象站组成的测定系统于2001年4月在北京林业大学妙峰山教学实验林场（39°54′N,116°28′E）对低山油松（Pinus tabulaeformis）人工林土壤-植物-大气体（SPAC）界面水势梯度及油松木质部边材液流传输速率的时空变化规律及其相关因子进行了连续测定。土壤水势随深度下降逐渐升高,日周期波动幅度减小,灌水后上层土壤水势迅速提高,但随着水分扩散和林地持续蒸散,土壤湿度迅速下降并逐渐与对照趋同;叶片水势连日逐渐降低,灌水后水势较对照有一定程度提高;林冠不同层次叶片水势在日周期内不同时间差异显著,但同一层次之间差异不明显;油松人工林土壤、叶片、大气水势梯度比约为1∶5∶30,灌水后SPAC相临界面水势差增大,水势梯度提高至1∶15∶90。大气水分饱和亏缺与土壤水势和叶片水势、以及土壤水势与叶片水势之间均有极显著相关性。干旱春季灌溉对油松木质部边材液流时空波动产生很大影响,灌水后连日树干上位边材液流峰值出现时间推迟1 h,连日平均液流速率提高48.59%,连日平均最大液流速率提高25.12%。木质部边材液流速率日变化和连日变化与SPAC水势和气象因子如空气相对湿度、空气温度、太阳辐射强度密切相关。与对照相比,灌水后边材液流速率与SPAC各介质水势和界面水势差的相关性下降。     

Piebaldism in tree shrews

Two types of hair changes occurred in an experimental group of captive tree shrews (Tupaia glis) living on an artificial diet in dark laboratory quarters. The most common variation in the fur consisted of a gradual type of hair loss resulting in a sparse coat and dry skin. The second type of hair change occurred in a female tree shrew in which patches of hair fell out all over the body. White hair regrowth followed exposure to sunlight, with subsequent repigmentation of the bases of the new hairs. Tree shrews suffering from the first type of hair disorder also improved when exposed to sunlight.     

涡度相关观测的太湖CH4通量数据插补方法评价

涡度相关法是在湖泊开展CH₄通量长期连续观测的重要方法。受到多种因素的影响,CH₄通量观测数据存在大量缺失。为重构完整的CH₄通量时间序列,就需要适宜的数据插补方法。本研究利用太湖涡度通量观测网络东部的避风港站点2014—2017年的常规气象数据及涡度相关观测的CH₄通量数据,在分析半小时尺度以及日尺度CH₄通量影响要素的基础上,测试了非线性回归法以及随机森林算法和误差反向传播算法在半小时尺度及日尺度上插补CH₄通量缺失数据的可行性。结果表明: 在半小时尺度上,避风港站生长季CH₄通量主要受到底泥温度、摩擦风速、气温、相对湿度、潜热通量和20 cm处水温的影响,非生长季主要受到相对湿度、潜热通量、风速、感热通量和底泥温度的影响,而在日尺度上CH₄通量主要受潜热通量和相对湿度的影响。在对CH₄通量缺失数据的插补中,随机森林模型在所有时间尺度上都表现为最佳的插补性能,其中,将日序、太阳高度角、底泥温度、摩擦风速、气温、20 cm处水温、相对湿度、气压和风速作为输入变量的随机森林模型更适用于半小时尺度缺失数据的插补;将日序、底泥温度、摩擦风速、气温、20 cm处水温、相对湿度、气压、风速和向下短波辐射作为输入变量的随机森林模型更适用于日尺度缺失数据的插补;整体上,插补模型对日尺度缺失数据的插补优于半小时尺度。     

Photoperiodic and hormonal influences on fur density and regrowth in two hamster species

Temperate and boreal mammals undergo seasonal changes in pelage that facilitate thermoregulation in winter and summer. We investigated photoperiodic influences on pelage characteristics of male Siberian and Syrian hamsters. Fur density (mg fur/cm2 skin) was measured by weighing the shavings of fur patches removed from the dorsal and ventral surfaces of hamsters maintained in long days (LDs) or transferred to short days (SDs). Patches were reshaved 3 wk later to assess fur regrowth (mg regrown fur/cm2 skin). Fur density was greater in SD than in LD Siberian hamsters after 11 wk of differential phototreatment. The onset of increased fur density in SDs was accompanied by a transient increase in fur regrowth (11-14 wk on the dorsal surface and 7-10 and 11-14 wk on the ventral surface), suggestive of a seasonal molting process. Fur density, body mass, and pelage color of Siberian hamsters returned to values characteristic of LD males after a similar duration of prolonged (>27 wk) SD treatment and appear to be regulated by a similar or common interval-timing mechanism. In Syrian hamsters, dorsal fur density, fur regrowth, and hair lengths were greater in SD than in LD males. Castration increased and testosterone (T) treatment decreased dorsal and ventral fur regrowth in LD and SD hamsters, but the effects of T manipulations on fur density were limited to a decrease in dorsal fur density after T treatment. Decreased circulating T in SDs likely contributes to the seasonal molt of male hamsters by increasing the rate of fur growth during the transition to the winter pelage.